TSA wait times: TSA wait times: Are airport security lines still long in the US? Here’s what travelers need to know
At major hubs such as John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, wait times vary throughout the day as passenger volumes remain high.
Latest TSA wait times at major airports
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Newark Airport noted that wait times at Newark Liberty International Airport now range from a few minutes to 20 minutes. Real-time trackers like TSAWaitTimes and iFly estimate the average wait time at almost 12 minutes; general security lines reach approximately 16 minutes at certain checkpoints. Flight disruptions continued; 48 delays and eight cancellations were reported. The affected airlines are United, JetBlue and Spirit.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
John F. Kennedy International Airport faces the longest queues of any airport in the region today. According to the JFK Airport website, wait times at Terminal 5 are reaching 20 minutes, while other terminals such as Terminals 1, 4, 7 and 8 are reporting waits of up to 15 minutes.
TSA PreCheck passengers move faster, with wait times between 2 and 8 minutes. However, flight disruptions remain significant, with 65 delays and 11 cancellations affecting airlines including JetBlue, Delta and American Airlines, Flight Aware reported.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
TSA lines are normally shorter at LaGuardia Airport; It varies from a few minutes to almost 10 minutes. Still, conditions remain inconsistent: Wait times reached 35 minutes on Sunday, according to NYCwaittimes.com, and PreCheck lines exceeded 20 minutes on Monday, according to Flight Aware, where the airport also reported more than 60 delays and 18 cancellations, affecting carriers like American Airlines, Delta, Southwest and others.
Have conditions returned to normal?
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey noted that TSA wait times at JFK, Newark and LaGuardia “are still variable and may be subject to sudden increases based on passenger volumes and staffing levels,” highlighting the uncertainty travelers may face.
How to check TSA wait times
Passengers can follow real-time updates using:
- Official airport websites with live wait time data
- MyTSA app
- Third-party platforms like TSA Wait Times, Departure Scheduler, FlightQueue, and AirportBuddy
Officials recommend relying on airport websites for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
FAQ:
Q1. Why are TSA wait times inconsistent right now?
Staffing levels are still stabilizing following recent disruptions. High demand for leisure travel is also contributing to choppy lines.
Q2. Which NYC airport has the longest wait time?
Wait times vary, but some terminals at JFK have reported longer lines. Conditions can change rapidly throughout the day.
